F4U Dive Breaks

[SpyHawk]

I think it would be cool if the "Open Door" command opened just the gear doors for your breaks (kind of like real life). Instead of the kind of fudged gear down-break thing we have now.

[Jigster]

 

Originally posted by SpyHawk:
I think it would be cool if the "Open Door" command opened just the gear doors for your breaks (kind of like real life). Instead of the kind of fudged gear down-break thing we have now.

It would become even more uber. Gawd I still remember when the AW F4U had seperate brakes from the gear. You couldn't get away from those dang things.

- Jig

[MiG Eater]

The main doors on an F-4U are closed when the main gear is used as a speed brake.  They open only momentarily during the gear extension at low speed prior to a dive.

MiG

[Jigster]

 

Originally posted by MiG Eater:
The main doors on an F-4U are closed when the main gear is used as a speed brake.  They open only momentarily during the gear extension at low speed prior to a dive.

MiG

I don't think the main doors (or gear) lowers at any point. The panels that cover the hinge and the top of the gear and foward area of the wing swing down. When the gear are properly extended and locked these panels
would normally provide a large drag area during landing...and such.

But the panels could be extended anytime below the recommended speed. They are strictly a drag surface that is perpendicular to the flight path. And if the pilot did over speed he wouldn't have to worry about ripping off his landing gear.

Least thats how the F4U-4B at LSFM werks.

- Jig

[Torque]

the step are listed in manual to use them as airbrakes.